Mannymania hits as Ramirez plays at Lake Elsinore

Manny Ramirez is expected to play in Southern California Saturday night for the first time since his suspension, when he joins the Inland Empire 66ers to continue his rehabilitation assignment.

A capacity crowd of more than 8,000 is expected for the San Bernardino team's California League game against the Lake Elsinore Storm at The Diamond in Lake Elsinore.

The game was nearly a sell-out, with only 750 tickets for seating on an outfield grass berm available Friday night, Storm team president Dave Oster told City News Service. Those tickets and can be purchased on the team's Web

site, www.stormbaseball.com, or by calling (951) 245-HITS, but were expected to sell out as well.

Gates will open at 5 p.m. for the 7:05 p.m. game, so fans can watch the suspended Los Angeles Dodgers slugging star take batting practice.

"There's definitely some energy surrounding his appearance here," Oster said. "I think it's going to be a great night.

"Being in a minor league ballpark is a unique setting to see a player the caliber of Manny Ramirez, especially him being up front and close."

Storm ticket sales began receiving a boost last week when speculation began that the Dodgers would assign Ramirez to the 66ers to start his rehabilitation assignment, Oster said.

However, because the California League was on its All-Star Game break Monday through Wednesday, the start of Ramirez's stint with Inland Empire was delayed two days.

Instead, the Dodgers sent Ramirez to their Pacific Coast League affiliate in Albuquerque, N.M., where he played Tuesday and Wednesday, going hitless in three at bats with a walk.

"I'm not concerned about statistics," manager Joe Torre told reporters before Friday's Dodger game. "I'm more interested in having him compete in some games."

Ramirez is scheduled to play three more games for the 66ers after today, Sunday through Tuesday in San Bernardino.

Ramirez received a mandatory 50-game suspension May 7 for violating Major League Baseball's Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program. He is eligible to return to play for the Dodgers Friday in San Diego.

Under baseball's rules, players may spend up to 10 days in the minor leagues before their suspensions end to get back into shape.